It is a game of musical cows at Patel’s dairy farm

By MERCY KAHENDA

Patel Coffee Estate in Nakuru has more to it than the huge herd of dairy cows. Also known as Tindress Farm by locals in Solai Division, Nakuru County, the firm is the new face of dairy farming.

The milking process is always accompanied by the sound of soulful music in the background.

The scenic attraction is beautified by herds licking mineral salt as well as grazing. Calves, resting on the opposite shade, get trained on how to feed on milk among other feeds.

The farm has a total of 208 Fresian dairies breed reared on 250 acres of land. This is in addition to eight acres located to dairy sheds for feeding, milking and resting.

According to Enos Kanguha, a dairy farm supervisor, Brookside Dairy Ltd has promoted production on the farm by providing extension services including dairy meals, dewormers, salt among others on credit.

“Setting up dairy farming is not easy because it requires huge finances. Without Brookside, most farmers could have low production due to increased price of farm inputs,” said Kanguha. The dairies on the farm produce an average of 2,000 litres of milk daily. Some of it is sold locally and to Brookside Dairy Ltd.

The firm is hosting this year’s Brookside Livestock Breeders Show and Sale starting tomorrow  (June 26 to 28) at Jamhuri Park, Nairobi.

 Kanguha says high prices and steady demand as compared to local price has seen them stock with the dairy firm.

Higher milk price

The Company purchases an average of 1,000 liters of milk daily at a price of Sh30 per litre  compared to  the local price of Sh27. “When we supply milk to Brookside, we are assured of payment. They take orders continuously unlike the local market that depends on availability of finances to buy,” he added.

Kanguha said work on the farm begins at 3:00am. Working entails cleaning of milking containers, warming of water for cleaning milking machines and dairies udder. The milking  is done by machines while the newly birthed are milked using hands. “About 176 cows are milked using machines while hostile ones and the newly given birth are milked by labourers using hands,” he noted.

The milk flows direct to the cooling plant after being weighed and recorded by the machines ready for market supply. “Milking begins early to enable it be supplied earlier to markets places and make it effective for Brookside officers to collect it immediately they get to the farm,” he added.

Samuel Nderu, Brookside field officer observed that he arrives on the farm by 6:00 am to collect the product to Brookside plant in Nakuru town.

During collection, Nderu weighs and checks the density of milk to ensure it is of quality. “Every time I collect milk from farmers, I weigh and test its quality to ensure it is good for consumption,” said Nderu.

Nderu noted that price of milk depends on quality of supply by farmers. The higher the quantity supplied, the higher the price offered. “Farmers are offered better prices for milk depending on quantity of supply as a way of encouraging them to improve production,” he added.

To ensure quality milk production, the dairies are feed on mashed sorghum and Napier grass. Other feeds include lucerne, potato vines, maize flour and exuded maize according to farm supervisor.

The feeding begins early in the morning after milking to enable the animals produce quality and quantity milk. 

“Milk production depends on the feeding habit. To ensure quality and quantity milk produce, feeding must be given priority,” added Kanguha.

Brookside also enhances food security by sponsoring farmers to improve farming activities in different regions of the country.

huge sponsorship

 Since 2002, Brookside has been the title sponsor —having spent in excess of Sh145 million. The Brookside Livestock Breeders Show and Sale, supported by other sponsors, enables growth of livestock production sector.

The Company has sponsored Sh35 million for the Show. The event is made up of various livestock breed societies including Brookside Dairy to enable farmers learn more on methods of production.

An average of 1,000 Kenya’s best livestock is expected at the Brookside Livestock Breeders Show. These will include cattle, sheep, goats and camels from different counties with commercial livestock including different breeds like Friesian, Boran, Jersey, Guernsey Ayshire, Dual Purpose Cattle and Goat Sheep breeders.

Brookside Livestock Breeders Show has also recorded sale of livestock breeding stock — both locally and internationally in countries like Rwanda, Tanzania and South Africa.

During the Show, international judges will be invited to judge various livestock on display as well as educating farmers on modern farming techniques.

Delegates from more than 10 African countries have been invited to the show that will see farmers with the best livestock will be rewarded.

training courses

The company often conducts series of Dairy training courses across the country to encourage participation of indigenous small dairy farmers.

The company to trains farmers on how to prepare their cattle to meet the set standards.

This enables their livestock may be eligibility for exhibition at the Show.

The Company gives out Sh20 million each year to educate dairy keepers on modern farming techniques.

Under Brookside Dairy training module, farmers learn about animal health, feeding and nutrition by agricultural experts. They also get tips on dairy animal judging, breeding and clean milk production.

 At the Show, those in attendance will participate in raffle and twenty winners will be accorded an agricultural tour to Israel.